Ah, raising gear.... actually, shortly after the video stops (and because I was too intent on watching the video recording stuff), I managed to crumple the langing gear in a small ground/airframe interface problem

Its been a worry of mine for a while now that as MFD/UFC modes change in game, the TB screen display would need to change too. The only way I can think of to fix this is as follows:

- Have multiple tabs, all showing the MFD/UFC, each tab showing a different state.

- when a MFD/TBC mode cycle/change is pressed on the TB screen, this would send the corretc key presses to change the mode in game, and also change the selected tab to show the MFD/UFC that has the correct display on it.

I havent coded this yet, but its only been in the last few days when things have started to fall into place for this issue, mostly from my experience with this sim. I have some associated issue with images and skins that need to integrate into this code, so I need to be sure I have it all sorted in my head before I start adding it to the project.

and in case you missed the TB video I did whilst running Lomac, here it is:
http://www.syn-ack.com/touchbuddy/touchbuddy-preview.zip
(DivX AVI)

I am far more comfortable in Lomac as you can tell

Hello guys. This device is really nice and can be useful in your games. But there are less expensive solutions with physical buttons that you can assign to whatever you want in the game.

Joe is 100% right (being an experienced cockpitbuilder) that this device can be really valuable if it learns to sense game modes and adjust / change itself accordingly. As it is now, I can't see anything more useful in it than in x-keys, goflight, Saitek P8000 and other simple input devices.

Pls correct me if I'm wrong

Ok, have just seen the LockOn movie with the touchscreen. Makes even more sense there since no clickable cockpit. As for clickable sims don't get overexcited, in the most, very most cases it is just easier and faster to click with the mouse on the main screen than sviwel your head/glance to another smaller one and find the right spot to click (those inscriptions are not helpful, no).

Dirk, I think you summed it up pretty well in both posts. Originally I found this thing while looking for something to serve as MFD screens on my desktop.

1. It is just another input device, true. The big advantage is that you can set it up the way you like it, add more pages/tabs, etc. In that regard it allows for expansion much more than X-keys and some others.

2. In addition to the UFC tab and LMFD and R MFD tabs, I wanted to add a couple pages of commands - but again, this could also be done with X-keys.

3. It is too bad in some sense that it doesn't respond to commands from the game -- that way a hotas command could be used to turn the TB screen to the right page.

And would be wonderful if it would respond to the F5/F6 view commands to zoon on the L/R MDFpanels (and thus provide an indepth rendering of whatever is on the MDF panel). But my understanding is that it won't work that way. That, however, might be a limitation of the sim, and not this touchscreen idea. Note that it can be done with F4 AF (using some extra software), but I think that's about it.

4. Also an excellent point about button-pushing vs simply mouse clicking. However, I see 2 or 3 differences.

First, I am right handed and I don't like pulling my right hand off the stick to click on stuff -- the ability to use the left hand to manipulate my buttons would be good.

Second, it provides the ability to make radio commands (replacing the keyboard).

Third, when using track IR, finding and hitting that MFD or UFC button can be sometimes tricky, and it often forces me to temporary disable the TIR and the turn it back on again when I'm done with my switchology.

It is those less expensive solutions, such as X-keys, that I was considering here, but this seems to be roughly the same price in the US (or maybe just $50-$100 more).

So I haven't quite made up my mind yet - guess it comes down to this or X-keys for me.

Ripcord

Ripcord, I'm buying the device. I know I'll find even more technics for using it conveniently in my flightsimming. Immediately I want it for the in-game comms (I've got many different buttons, switches and rotaries for any other functions).

Also I'm right handed too, therefore I never use my right hand for any input device other than the control stick. All MFD/ICP entries are made with my left hand only, and I can only recommend same technic to you.

Dirk.

Really? Actually, you just convinced me that maybe I should review my decision to buy (vs. possbility of adding X-keys).

If you are really going to buy, then I want to share with you the 2-3 sources I have found and their outrageous prices. Will you get one in the US? I am also considering this, and I even have a packmule standing buy to bring it back. But I'm not sure about the AC adaptor/plug-in issues.

I'll e-mail you separately.

Good morning, BTW.

Ripcord

Hello Ripcord! I meant I was buying the concept in the first place. Anyway, Dasha will be next week in NY, can you pls send me the link? I'm not sure if my budget allows to buy it this time. (it is already overstressed with Core 2 Extreme with RAM and MOBO plan, and full professional ICP (UFC) usb unit for my F16).

Cheers,
Dirk.

Links on the way.

You should start, however, with these.

http://www.touch-buddy.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=8

Ripcord

Thanks!